Headed into his 20th season, Portland head football coach John Novara works with his Raiders Monday morning, Aug. 6, 2018, during the first practice at the high school. MATTHEW DAE SMITH/Lansing State Journal

Headed into his 20th season, Portland head football coach John Novara watches his team Monday morning, Aug. 6, 2018, during the first practice at the high school. MATTHEW DAE SMITH/Lansing State Journal

Headed into his 20th season, Portland head football coach John Novara, right, works his Raiders Monday morning, Aug. 6, 2018, during the first practice at the high school. MATTHEW DAE SMITH/Lansing State Journal

The Portland High School football team took to the practice field for the first time on Monday morning amidst the heavy rain that conveniently stopped just after the team's final sprints were completed.

Coach John Novara, starting his 20th season at the helm of the Raiders, immediately had his team running Portland's signature trap and sweep offensive sets. Novara is readying his players to defend the CAAC White League title, something the Raiders have won for the past three years.

"Our goal is always to win a league championship first and foremost," Novara said. "We are in a really tough league, but that is the first goal we set our sights on."

Novara said that this might be one of the physically bigger teams he's had, but the team's success might come down to filling in the voids at the positions of skill, especially in an offense that delivers heavy doses of misdirection runs and cuts.

"We are really happy with our offensive line, most of them are coming back this season," Novara said. "Defensively, we are strong up front and we've got to replace our skilled kids at corner and safety. We feel like we have good pieces in place and guys that are ready to go."

It will be a struggle for the Raiders to replace the production of quarterback Austin Allison, who shined in his junior and senior seasons. Novara said he is evaluating three potential candidates to replace him, but it remains too early to tell.

Senior captains Owen Guilford and Mitch Savage lead the way on both sides of the ball. Guilford plays fullback and linebacker, while Savage is in trenches as both a guard and defensive end.

"A lot of guys are going to have to step up and become more solid players," Guilford said. "We'll definitely miss guys like Austin, but they're in the past now and we have to worry about our team."

With two-a-days starting, Novara didn't hesitate to let his players know that these first two weeks will be the most grueling of the season. And now it's up to the captains to keep the younger players motivated.

"We have to keep telling them good job and tell them to keep working hard," Savage said. "Sometimes coach is going to tear you down and we have to be there to build them back up."

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Headed into his 20th season, Portland head football coach John Novara, right, works his Raiders Monday morning, Aug. 6, 2018, during the first practice at the high school.(Photo: MATTHEW DAE SMITH/Lansing State Journal)